hot toddies

hot toddies have got us through the winter. lovely hubby and i are somewhat addicted to our nightly ritual

We owe thanks to Nigel Slater's hot toddy recipe which is so delicious and smooth:

Put 1tsp of honey and a measure of whisky in a mug or heatproof glass. Add two cloves and half a cinnamon stick then top up with just-off-the-boil water. Stir in a slice of lemon and just enough lemon juice to balance the sweetness of the honey. Drink as soon as it doesn't burn your lips.

leaving the house

i am a mum, how did that happen? i've been a mum for four years and i feel like a novice.. like it was only days ago that lovely hubby and i would decide to go out, would put on our coats and leave... carrying nothing.. nothing!! we walked, meandered, stopped to look at things, shopped, sat in cafes, moved on to bars and eventually wandered home... chatting much of the way.

oh how things have changed. leaving the house now takes approximately one hour... each step moving us all closer to melt-down or tantrum - searching, packing, finding lost items, re-packing, remembering spares, zips, buttons, knots, velcro, hats, gloves, shoes, persuading, convincing, bribing, cajoling, threatening, pleading, crying, pretending to leave child behind and of course ... last minute pooing! Finally leaving, returning for forgotten items, finding keys, collecting forgotten item plus a few more, another toilet stop.. AND we're out! .... it must be almost lunch and nap time... better get home soon right!?

Some things I've forgotten how to do -

wandering slowly through an art gallery 

reading a magazine in a cool non-child-friendly cafe

while hubby sites across from me and does the same!

looking up for long enough to notice, appreciate and PHOTOGRAPH a shelf of trendy items 

taking a photo of ourselves

ahhh the indulgent days...

you know i wouldn't change a thing

but life has certainly changed